October 4, 2014

Photos credits by Kaden Huntrods

MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) raced to a 9-0 first quarter lead Saturday evening over nationally-ranked Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) in the rivalry football game at Joe Quintal Stadium.  The Tigers outscored the Trojans 21-7 in the second and third quarters combined and held off DSU's late rally to earn a 27-22 non-conference thriller in the 67th all-time meeting.

Dakota State dropped their overall record to 3-3, losing their first road game this season.  Dakota Wesleyan, ranked No. 20 in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 national poll, raised their overall record to 4-1.  The Tigers currently own the 36-30-1 series record over DSU.

The Trojans scored the first points of the game in the opening quarter.  Tanner Hubbard nailed down a career-high 42-yard field goal with six minutes and eight seconds remaining in the first quarter to give DSU a 3-0 lead.  Dakota State used eight plays for 55 yards in 3:12 in the scoring drive. 

After DWU went three-and-out on the ensuing drive, the Tigers punted for 10 yards as the Trojans started their next scoring drive from DWU's 45-yard line with 5:10 remaining in the first.

The highlight in the next DSU's scoring drive included a 40-yard rush by Jeremy Christner from DWU's 42-yard line to DWU's 2-yard line.  Christner rushed for a 1-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-goal situation, extending DSU's lead to 9-0 with 3:16 left in the opening quarter.  Hubbard's PAT kick was blocked by DWU.  The Trojans used 7 plays for 45 yards in 1:54 in the scoring drive.

Dakota Wesleyan broke their scoring drought in the early second quarter with a touchdown on the next drive.  The Tigers used 16 plays for 84 yards in 5:47 as Dillon Turner rushed for a 1-yard touchdown.  Daniel Porter added a PAT kick as DWU cut DSU's lead to 9-7 with 12:12 remaining in the first-half.

The Trojans were unable to add another score in the second quarter as Hubbard's 26-yard field goal was blocked by the Tigers with 6:34 remaining in the second quarter.

Turner's pass was intercepted by DSU's Ramel Dyer at the DWU's 20-yard line on the next drive.  Dyer returned the interception for 16 yards to give the Trojans' their starting drive on DWU's 4-yard line with 5:49 remaining before halftime.

Dakota State quickly scored a touchdown as Jabree Shorter ran for a 4-yard touchdown run.  Hubbard's PAT kick was successful as the Trojans extended their lead to 16-7 with 5:28 left in the second quarter.

The Tigers were able to earn their second touchdown of the second quarter with few seconds before intermission.  DWU recorded 15 plays for 58 yards in 5:22 as Turner threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Dustin Livingston.  Porter's PAT kick was good as DWU trailed 16-14 with six seconds remaining in the second quarter.

DSU held on to a 16-14 halftime advantage.

Dakota Wesleyan earned their first lead of the game in the third quarter.  DSU committed a fumble after DWU's punt to the DSU's 35-yard line and was recovered by the Tigers with 7:56 left in the third quarter.

The Tigers were able to convert their scoring opportunity by using four plays for 35 yards in 1:40.  Frank Barnaud ran for a 5-yard touchdown and Porter added the PAT extra point kick as DWU grabbed a 21-16 lead with 6:16 remaining in the third quarter.

Dakota State was unable to reduce DWU's lead in the early fourth quarter.  Hubbard's 31-yard field goal was blocked by DWU Adam Bormann with less than 13 minutes remaining in the game.

Dakota Wesleyan answered with another touchdown after a blocked field goal on the ensuing drive.  Turner connected to Trevor Schroeder for a 43-yard touchdown pass with 9:08 left.  Porter's PAT kick was no good as the Tigers' lead grew to 27-16.

After DWU's touchdown, Dakota State answered back with a touchdown on the next drive.  While the Trojans have 30 yards to convert for their first-down from their own 25-yard line, Justin Summers threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Brendon Waldner with 6:22 remaining in the game.  The Trojans were unable to convert their 2-point try as DSU trimmed DWU's lead to 27-22.

The Trojans used six plays for 79 yards in 2:39 in their scoring drive.

DSU's defense made a stop on DWU on the Tigers' 42-yard line with about two minutes left in the game, forcing DWU to punt. 

The Trojans started their drive on their own four-yard line with 1:57 remaining in the game.  DSU was able to convert a first down after Summers threw a 14-yard pass to Waldner to their own 23-yard line.

DWU's defense stopped DSU on the fourth-and-one situation on DSU's 32-yard line with 48 seconds left on the clock.  Shorter fell short for another DSU's first-down, securing a thrilling victory for the Tigers.

Summers was 12-of-21 with 149 passing yards and threw a touchdown pass for the Trojans.  He had an interception.  Nic Behrens added a pass for 21 yards. 

Christner rushed 20 times for 86 yards and recorded a touchdown for DSU.  Summers added 18 rushes for 23 yards.  Shorter had a rushing touchdown.

Waldner caught four catches for 91 yards with a touchdown for Dakota State.  Bobby Tisch added four receptions for 31 yards.  Austin Opdahl had two catches for 25 yards. 

Turner completed 21 passes in 35 attempts for 222 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Tigers.  Turner also had a rushing touchdown.  Barnaud rushed 27 times for 81 yards with a touchdown.

Kodi Larson recorded seven receptions for 45 yards for DWU.  Livingston added six catches for 33 yards and a touchdown.  Alex Roberston had four receptions for 71 yards.  Schroeder earned two catches for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Cole Potter led the Trojans' defense with 10 solo tackles, including five tackles for a loss of 31 yards.  He had three quarterback sacks in the game (loss of 27 yards), one sack short of tying DSU's school record for most sacks in a single game.  Ben Kullos added eight solo tackles.  Clifton Marshall and Aaron Gronwald each had seven tackles.  Ridge Lindberg had a quarterback sack.

Potter and Kullos each had a fumble recovery for Dakota State.  Dyer had an interception and returned it for 16 yards.

Jeff Maassen tallied 13 tackles for Dakota Wesleyan.  Adam Bormann added nine tackles.  Brady Mudder and Anthony Cervantes each had seven tackles.  Tanner Munk recorded an interception.

DWU outgained DSU 323-284 in total offensive yards.  The Trojans outrushed the Tigers 114-101.  DWU had 222 passing yards compared to DSU 170 passing yards.

Dakota Wesleyan recorded 20 first-downs in the game, while Dakota State had 13 first-downs.

DWU converted 9-of-21 on third downs.  DSU was 4-of-16 on third-down conversions.

Dakota State returns home next Saturday (Oct. 11) as they host the University of Jamestown (N.D.) in the North Star Athletic Association match-up.  Kick-off from the Trojan Field is set for 1 p.m. in Madison, S.D.  UJ-DSU will be part of the annual 'Rushing for a Cure' game to help raise cancer awareness.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director